DreamWorks to adapt Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series

August 19, 2011 - By Liam Goodwin

According to Variety DreamWorks has acquired feature film rights to all five books in Karen Marie Moning’s bestselling Fever series. Teen fantasy movies are hot property at the moment with Harry Potter ending, Twilight on the verge, and The Hunger Games just getting started. It’s understandable why DreamWork would want a franchise of their own.

Here’s the synopsis for the first book in the series, Darkfever:

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death on MacKayla’s cell phone, MacKayla journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae…

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless V’lane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands…

DreamWorks envisions the series as a potential live-action fantasy franchise, so movement on the first movie shouldn’t be far off.

For those curious, here are the titles of all 5 books, the last of which hit book shelves in December.

This series is being described as a teen series, and that description could not be any more off the mark! These books are phenomenal, the best thing I have ever read, but I would not let my adolescent read them. There is a sexual energy that sizzles throught the entire series. The books are not about sex, but the sexual undertones are critical to the storyline. The last book in the series hit the NY Times Bestseller list within a week of release. They are provocative, well written and hot all at the same time. I wouldn’t discourage any adult from reading them, but don’t run buy them for your adolescent because they finished Twilight and you want to encourage thier reading fettish!

It you are an adult, dont walk, run to the nearest book store and buy these! This series is not about vampires, it is the pinacle of urban fantasy.

Rlgilly

sexual undertones???? you have got to be kidding me!!! there are no undertones when she spells out exactly what is going on!! call it as it is, SEX.

Seattlelite

Agreed. Frankly that was the worst part of an otherwise good series of books. Oversexed, unnecessarily detailed intimacy, and the really weak and disappointing “death-by-sex” mechanic of the fey. Without that stuff I think the author might have been forced to think a little harder and we would have had an even better story.

Breanna P.

I highly disagree, it was a great part of the book. that what made it an adult book instead of teen

Alex Shepard

It’s not that bad. Definitely not a teen book though. The sexual scenes are scattered enough to keep females reading and to keep men from getting bored.
Oversexed? Hardly. They’re perfect.
Mystery, fantasy, thrills, and a little erotica thrown in for good measure. I love them!
You want oversexed? Go get 50 Shades of Grey, bored me to tears

Elizabeth

Liam you should learn more about what you are writing about before you write it as the other person said this is not a teen series and if they are marketing it as a teen series I will not be watching.

Anonymous

Mac is 22 year old bartender at the beginning of the series, and there is only one teen in the entire series that isn’t even in the first book. While it is great to be compared to the really awesome franchises mentioned in terms of popularity, content-wise it is more mature.

Defiantely not your teenage romance especially when you get to Faefever at the end. I agree with Elizabeth, if DW gears this towards teens they they don’t get the plot of the series and need to just hand it back to KMM so that a studio with a better understanding of the series can do it justice.

I love this series so much! Karen is like my number 1 favorite author! Seeing that you guys might make the fever series into movies? Absolutely GREAT! The only thing that would make it better is if they bought the rights to the Highlander series too and did THOSE first and then did the Fever series since there are some of the sexy highlanders that do appear here and there in the Fever series. Please pick good actors/actresses… do lots of polls to get feedback from the actual fans when casting. If you pick someone like Kristen Stewart I will never go see the movies because quite frankly her acting skills are appalling at best. Anna from the True Blood series? THAT is a quality actress! Anyways, just don’t kill the movies with bad ones :D The fans fully support Karen’s PHENOMENAL WORK!

nina

I totally agree

Jennifer Hall

Does life get any better than this?!?!?!? PLEASE GOD MAKE THESE MOVIES!!!!!!! I agree with Chelsea R, the only thing that could make this better is if the rights to the Highlander series were also acquired….SOOOO much back-story there. And the fan-base is there as well. It doesn’t get any better than Karen Marie Moning. Dreamworks lookout….are you ready for the Moning Maniacs? Ha!

Nameless

Ya… the back story planted in all those books is so cool.

Desiree

this is a great series but for not for kids at all i really hope they make it thou us big kids need movies to see too

Marycran1963

What would be nice is if Joss Whedon took on the project and made it an adult series the way it was written.

Nameless

Hey, that is a good idea. The firefly series has a similar flavor. Firefly’s Mal is similar to Barons; both are intriguing heroes. The actors from Firefly have great chemistry and some of them would work well in the Fever movies.

Jason Momoa matches the description of Barrons in the book well and has a far better body than David Gandy. He is also way better looking when he smiles. This is quite important. It is easy to look hot when you are serious, you don’t want to blow the mood when he smiles. You want to swoon. You need ‘devastating’ when he smiles … not goofy and David Gandy does smile as well as Momoa.

Hands down: Jason Momoa can do serious and do happy (smile) both looking sooo hot. Chris Helmsworth is also so hot. He would make a great Lor… good direction Momoa could be a great Barrons.

Who should play Mac? who should play Alana? Who will play our favorite villain Vlane? All terribly important decisions.
Please, Dreamworks…We are waiting for this movie. Shades of Grey and Twilight are nothing compared to the Fever Series.
Barons men: Adam Baldwin, Nathan Fillion, Chris Helmsworth, joe manganiello
Mac: Summer Glau?

Nameless

oops I meant to say David Gandy DOES NOT smile as well as Jason Momoa

Sanssong1

Oh please please don’t let them turn these wonderful books into some teenie bopper nonsense. These books are definitely adult books written for adults.

Tanya

I LOVE the fever series. It is in fact the BEST urban fantasy I’ve ever read! Oh and trust me I’ve read alot! They need to make this rated R none of that PG13 crap. They need to stay true to this sereis. It’s not young adult at all

Absolutely, i dont think a movie can do it justice as a freakin teen movie! This is one of the best series ive ever read. I have the Highlander series as well as the Fever series by KMM and theyr freaking awesome, Again i will stress i just dont understand how they will downplay all the graphic details of this book, There are soo many especially when the unseelie princes get ahold of her!

I cant wait, these are awsome books, just hope they can stay true to the series.

Cmuegge

I feel an Anne Rice coming on, they butchered her books, when they were made into movies. I really hope that doesn’t happen here

Vanboskerck

So Excited – I hope they don’t dummy them down into a teen franchise. I would rather it lean towards
Underworld than Twilight.

Holly Paris

The Fever series is not about teen angst. It is about a young woman who doesn’t really think she’s much more than a pretty face and then facing the end of the world she digs deep and saves the everyone. It’s not a perfect story and that’s what makes it awesome. I love that the thing Mac is most proud of is the MacHalo.

Neisi

Just in the fourth Book and trust me…THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR TEENAGERS!!! They would have to cut, change or adapt so much to make it a teen series that I am sure all of the readers who like myself loved the books will be very dissapointed, besides the fact that it would ruin the story. This is the best series I’ve ever read….but I am 25….not a teenager and do not think it is appropiate for any one under 17!

BSquared

I’ve read the series – recommended by my wife. At first I was a bit skeptical. My wife likes reading Romance/Harlequin, but I trusted her opinion and after reading the 1st two chapters it was quite obvious she knows my likes and dislikes. This maybe one of the best series of books I have ever read. Action packed and seriously suspensful. I was checking the books out of the local library system and could hardly wait for the next book as I finished the previous. Also, I’m a 38 year old man – these books caused me to blush on several occassions. Not a teen series. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone under 18.

GiovannaG

I want a husband like you.

Amanda Johnson

Jericho Barrons should be played by none other than Jason Momoa!!!

Meg

DUDE. HELL YES HE DOES. He is PERFECT for the role.

Loretta Synn

Please no. Jason Mamoa is NOT Barrons. David Gandy IS JZB, let’s just hope Gandy can act.

retfed

He has potential but would have to bulk up and as a model may not want to. They may need to look for a new star for this one!

ambernbarton

David Gandy definantly!!

Adele

Thank you! Jason Momoa was great as Drogo…but Barrons is lethally attractive and classy, and Momoa is too hulking to do him justice! David Gandy would be perfect (Not just as Barrons but also as the sinister-sexy Vishous, should the BDB ever be turned into a set of films), but I don’t think he could act the part, being a model and all that.

Sleonesia

whats wrong with jason mamoa?
he’d make a good Jzb. not the perfect, but atleast close.
or maybe he could play as Lor or Ryodan Or any of the eight.

guest

Jason Mamoa can’t act, for chrissakes.

LAF

Family talked me in to reading the first book, I liked it! I listened to the audio tapes for the next 2 books. I’m finishing Faefever right now. Though audio will never replace reading the book and I had to get used to the voice on the audio tape, ( My own mental view was different), I’m used to it now. I look forward to listening on lunch or the ride to and from work. I’m keep wanting my husband or friend to get in to the series. Still keeping it to myself. It is different going on line to see what other people think? Movies are never as good as the book, but looking forward to series movies anyway.

A Fever Maniac

If they make this into a teen movie it’ll ruin the entire storyline! Macayla is supposed to be a young clueless to the danger woman that grows into an ass kicking powerful woman. And Jericho is a mysterious dangerous make your mouth drool man. Neither can be made into teens or teen appopriate characters! And don’t even get me started on V’laine….

Jamye

This entire series is totally amazing. I couldnt put the books down when I was reading them and I got through the last one in like two days. I CANT WAIT to see the movie versions. If they stay true to the story lines of the books, they will be totally awesome. I am however shocked like many others with the fact that they are grouping it in with other “Teen Movies”, So totally NOT appropriate for anyone under the age of about 16…atleast. (If they are a very mature 16 that it.)

Brandy

Honestly, these are my absolute favorite books. When I found out that were, indeed, making the series into a movie franchise,I was so excited, I almost peed my pants. I, like many others here, am horrified by the thought that they are comparing this series to Twilight and Harry Potter, although great series in themselves, are nowhere near the maturity level called for by KMM. I’m hoping that if she has ANYTHING to do with the filming of the movies, she won’t allow them to be portrayed as Teen Paranormal Romance, no matter how hard Dreamworks pushes. Seriously, the whole first part of Faefever would haveto be edited out, and, oh my gosh, how important is the whole Priyah part of the series?!? Please, for all of us fans out here, make sure you know how to market this movie series before releasing it to the mass public!

A reader

I hope they are well done or it will be a hideous let down. Every nuance of every character better be carefully tended to.

And this is NOT, I repeat NOT appropriate for under 18. Period. There is rampant sex, gang rape, masturbation, and more throughout the series. Don’t water it down (twighlight films were TERRIBLE) and don’t market it to teens!

Tina

i sure hope they don’t make this into a preteen/teen scream fest! these books are not for teens, and other than dani, no teen even graces the plot as a main character! these books are absolutely amazing and i’m really looking forward to a possible movie franchise, just don’t dummy it down or make it “nicer” than it really is! this should in no way relate to twilight or harry potter!

Meganalexandria1991

Um. They are most definitely NOT teen movies. AT ALL.

Millzgrace

You have got to be joking! This book is not a teen book. Just because its fantasy doesn’t make it for kids. If they contort it into one I will most deffenitly NOT be going to see it.

Rednekholly

I agree with Elizabeth. Liam, you imply that this is a teen series but nothing could be more from the truth. This is a very adult series and I would not want my teen reading this. It is adult in the very best way. Highly engaging and captivating. It is the very best of contemporary fantasy. Moning does her research into the mythology of the Fae world and presents it in a way that you never want it to end. I wanted 10 books in this series. I have read this series twice and I am sure I will read it again in a few months,

TingleSpine

I think of Alexis Georgoulis when I read Barron’s in the books, but he’d have to find his bad self too for Fever 5.

Nameless

No, Jason Momoa has the eyes, the eye brows, the nose, the mouth, the body. Alexis not hard enough. Barrons is supposed to be hundreds of years old and have “one-foot-in-the-swamp” and “happy-to-stay-there” look. He is supposed to be scary and sexy. Alexis is just not scary enough. Jason whole look seems to say ancient war-god-man. Alexis is more city-tough-boy.

Alisa Hilde

Please DO not make these teen movies–none of the charactor’s are teenagers–they are adult men and women. The books are AWESOME

jszuba

I really hope that I am not reading what I am reading. Teen fantasy? For real? I hope that they do not ruin this series. I agree with many when I say that I would never let my teen read these books, and they dont have to be turned into some teeny bopper movie to get a large audience! This isnt the first time that I have read somewhere that this series is young adult. And all I want to do is ask that “reviewer” if they have even read the books before they started typing. Come on…I have read thousands of books and series, and this is by far the best I have ever read. And I cant even put into words how I will feel if this series is ruined by people who have no understanding or concept of this story and the deep complex characters that are in it. The casting is just as important, make one wrong choice and it will be, well, it will be devastating to the story. I have never felt so strongly about a book turned movie as I feel with this series. I truly believe that 5 great movies could come out of this, if done the way KMM has so ingeniously put down on paper!

Linda

I loved this series and I was in my late fifties when I began reading it. I too can not imagine the tension between Barrons and Mac turned into teen fluff. I wouldn’t go if it were. It would only spoil the images I have in my mind of all the characters in the series…sequels Karen…we need more sequels! I like the idea of “The Rock” playing Barrons.

Sam

Im a teen but it is nothing like twlight, harry potter..
and i will not watch it if they fuck up the fever books

Djm566

…. These books are like porn with an amazing plot!

Sleonesia

as much as i’d love to see a movie, i think it might be better for them to make it as a tv show. at least then they would have all the details in instead of having to grade it down for time wise.
i mean think about it, once they reach Shadow fever, they’ll have to make the book into at least, three of four movies long.

I HOPE DREAMWORKS DOESN’T “F” THIS UP THEY NEED TO TAKE THEIR TIME AND NOT ATTEMPT TO CRUSH ONE BOOK INTO A 2 HOURS FLICK- JUST ONE BOOK WILL NEED TO BE DEPICT THE EXCELLENCE OF K. MONINGS STORY TO BE DONE WELL HAS TO BE IN AT LEAST 2 PARTS-BETTER GET THIS RIGHT DREAMWORKS- IF NOT WE WILL BOYCOTT FUTURE FILMS! DUDE, WHAT THE FAEK ? !

Mamfa12

o god i have this horrible image of dreamworks tryin to put this into the same cat. as twilight and these books arent like that at all i mean come on the most pg of it is when she says things like frog instead of f**k and petunia was a**……..i hate when they mess up good stories by bringin in there own writers instead of stickin with the authors words

When casting starts for these movies, Joe Manganiello (Alcide from True Blood) would be perfect for Jericho Barrons!! And Jason Lewis (Sex and the City) for V’Lane. Jason Momoa can play one of Barrons’ friends, he just isn’t sexy enough as Barrons.

ambernbarton

PLEASE dont screw these amazing books up by marketing towards teenagers. KMM was NOT writing these books for teens!!! And yes, if David Gandy can act he would be perfect for JZB!

LiveandletLie

WHAT???Please It isn’t a teen series at all!
And in my mind Mac is Amber Heard and JZB is Henry Cavill (in the dunhill spot..god he is JZB tall dark classy and handsome)

Nameless

Amber Heard looks right. Can she act?
I did not think of Henry Cavill, but I agree he looks right for the Barrons part. Good.

MLXg

i do hope that there will be a movie on these series! i LOVE the books, I became addicted to it the first time I picked it up.

Kris

I love these books… But if they gear them towards teens then what about when teens and pre-teens want to start reading the books… Which they will…

i agree, this is one of the very best series of books ive ever read HOWEVER i do NOT see this being played as teens and still being anything close to the books. These books are by far too graphic in many areas for teens!

bidellat

The books are sold in the adult section in the stores. They are NOT teen appropriate. However, they are really good. Please don’t make them sappy.

rowland08

this series is the best i have ever read. yes there is a lot of sex in it but its awesome that that is not what the book is about. it has so much detail and i couldnt imagine coming up with any of this i dont know how karen does it but she rocks at it. i would love to see a movie but im scared that it will be dulled down and leave parts out. thw twilight BOOK series is good but the movies suck!!!! i cant wait to see who will be barrons and mac!!!

madeline

jason momoa as jerricho barrons !!!

DeedeeDeedee

Matthew Goode is totally the dark, brooding Jericho.

Denise

I cannot read these books fast enough! I am on the verge of the the last book and am so sad it is almost over. I haven’t been this into a series of books since Twilight (even the Hunger games, which I really enjoyed, didn’t come close to what this series has done for me). I would love/hate if they were made into movies- if the movies are great and do the books justice, that is. I thought Twilight and Harry Potter did a great job, the Hunger Games not so much. PS: I am 40 years old, so definitely not just a teen series!

rednekholly

If dreamworks turns this into a teen series I will be disgusted. This is NOT a teen book series. It is rife with sexual tension and it is an extremely emotional ride. The books are extremely R rated; and I like them that way.

Lea

if Oded Fehr was just a little bit younger, he would have made perfect Jericho!

idk why they described it as a teen fantasy… it is not for teens. i hope they don’t ruin it.

Leanne

I don’t a teen series is a good way to describe it. It is a fantasy novel, although, not just teens are into supernatural novels. I’m almost done with Darkfever, and I don’t know much about it yet going as far as being sexually graphic. I don’t think Moning did a good job in picking out the “death-by-sex” character to be the Fae prince. The definition for V’lane, the seelie prince was “a human woman would die in intercourse with it”. That was unnecessary and in some way disappointing. Didn’t Mac find out that sidhe-seers see Fae however they want to?